Understanding Night Sweats in Children: Causes, Treatments, and When to Seek Help

Many parents might assume sweating during sleep is something that begins in adolescence, but night sweats are actually quite frequent among infants and young children.

A 2012 study involving 6,381 children aged 7 to 11 revealed that nearly 12% experienced night sweats weekly.

Night sweats can affect children of any age, occurring either sporadically or regularly.

While sometimes linked to health conditions discussed below, night sweats often happen without any medical cause.

Recognizing Night Sweats in Children

Nighttime sweating can manifest in different ways. Your child might stay dry during the day but experience:

• Localized sweating: Excessive sweat in a specific area such as the scalp, face, or neck. You may notice a damp pillow while the bed remains dry. Older children might sweat only in the armpits during sleep.
• Generalized sweating: Sweating over the entire body, resulting in damp sheets, pillow, and clothing, without bedwetting.

Additional signs may include:

• Flushed or reddened skin
• Warm hands or body
• Chills or clammy skin due to sweat
• Irritability or nighttime waking caused by discomfort
• Daytime sleepiness from disrupted rest

Common Causes of Night Sweats in Children

Night sweats in kids fall into two categories based on cause:

• Primary night sweats: Occur without an underlying medical reason, often related to environmental factors.
• Secondary night sweats: Result from health conditions affecting the body.

Overly Warm Sleeping Environment

Night sweats are especially prevalent in babies and toddlers. Dressing children in heavy clothing or using too many blankets in a warm room can exacerbate sweating. Young children often cannot remove excess bedding themselves.

Remember, infants under 1 year should sleep without pillows, blankets, or other items in their cribs for safety.

Idiopathic Night Sweats

Sometimes, even in a cool room with lightweight sleepwear, children may still sweat at night. This is often due to their higher number of sweat glands per square inch and immature temperature regulation compared to adults.

Genetic Predisposition

Night sweating can run in families. If you tend to sweat more, your child might inherit this trait, resulting in increased sweat gland activity.

Common Cold and Viral Infections

Night sweats can accompany viral infections like the common cold, which is frequent in children under 6 years old. Symptoms usually last about a week and may include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sinus congestion
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches (more typical with flu)

Respiratory Conditions

Night sweats may be associated with respiratory issues such as allergies, asthma, or infections affecting the nose, throat, and lungs. Children with night sweats are more likely to have:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Allergic rhinitis
• Eczema
• Sleep apnea
• Tonsillitis
• Behavioral challenges like hyperactivity or temper issues

Hormonal Changes During Puberty

Older children, especially those entering puberty around ages 8-9, may experience night sweats due to hormonal fluctuations. This can also cause body odor, signaling the onset of puberty.

Lung Inflammation and Sensitivities

Conditions like hypersensitivity pneumonitis cause lung inflammation from exposure to dust or mold, leading to symptoms similar to pneumonia but without infection. Symptoms include night sweats, cough, shortness of breath, chills, fever, and fatigue. This condition is more common in children with asthma or allergies.

Rare Causes: Childhood Cancers

Though extremely uncommon, cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma can cause night sweats in children under 10 years. These serious conditions usually present with additional symptoms like persistent fever, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and cough. Early detection and treatment result in high success rates.

Managing Night Sweats in Children

Most children do not require medical treatment for night sweats. To reduce sweating, dress your child in breathable, lightweight pajamas, use lighter bedding, and keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature.

If an underlying illness like a cold or allergies is present, night sweats typically resolve as the condition improves.

For children with asthma or allergies, proper management can help control sweating episodes.

Pediatricians may perform simple, painless tests such as:

• Starch iodine test: Applied to the skin to detect excessive sweating areas.
• Paper test: Special paper absorbs sweat and is weighed to measure sweat levels.

When to Consult a Doctor

Seek medical advice if your child exhibits symptoms linked to night sweats, including:

• Snoring or noisy breathing
• Mouth breathing
• Wheezing
• Retractions (sucking in of the stomach during breathing)
• Shortness of breath
• Ear pain
• Stiff neck or floppy head
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea

Urgent care is necessary if fever lasts more than two days or worsens.

Also, consult your pediatrician if you notice changes in sweat odor or the development of body odor, as these may indicate hormonal changes or other health issues.

If you need help finding a pediatrician, tools like Healthline’s FindCare can assist in locating local healthcare providers.

Summary

Night sweats in children are usually benign and often occur without any medical cause, especially in boys. Most children do not require treatment for nighttime sweating.

Always consult your pediatrician if you have concerns to ensure your child remains healthy and comfortable.

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